The Edmonton Oilers drafted Xavier Bourgault in the first round of the 2021 entry draft, continuing a flow of forward picks that began in 2020 and included all six selections that season. Bourgault is a talented scorer and there is some evidence that he has a range of skills that could represent a more complete game. After what has been a turbulent start to summer, the draft was a welcome return to normal. I believe this was a quality pick.
THE ATHLETIC!
I’m proud to be writing for The Athletic, and pleased to be part of a great team with Daniel Nugent-Bowman and Jonathan Willis. Here’s the latest!
- New Lowetide: Ideal targets for the Oilers on Day 2 of the 2021 draft
- New DNB: Oilers come under the microscope after passing on Jesper Wallstedt
- New James Mirtle: Zach Hyman is leaving the Maple Leafs, expected to sign in Edmonton shortly
- New Jonathan Willis: Zach Hyman, by the numbers
- Lowetide: Who should the Oilers draft at No. 19?
- DNB: Is Zach Hyman coming to Edmonton? Top Oilers draft targets?
- Lowetide: If the UFA market fails, can the Oilers find their 3rd-line centre internally?
- New DNB: What I’m hearing about the Oilers offseason
- New DNB: The Oilers must act fast to address their hole on defence
- DNB: Replacing Adam Larsson
- Lowetide: Why Dominik Kahun is the best Oilers expansion option for the Kraken
- Lowetide: 5 players outside the NHL who could help the Oilers
- New DNB: Adam Larsson and free agency? Who’s on the expansion list?
- New DNB: Oilers talking to Zach Hyman’s camp
- Lowetide: Lessons learned from Oilers’ previous drafts
- Jonathan Willis: Duncan Keith, by the numbers
- DNB: How Ken Holland’s overpay for Duncan Keith limits the Oilers’ offseason options
- Lowetide: 10 free agents for the Oilers to target this offseason
- Jonathan Willis: Yes or no? Have your say on 10 hypothetical Oilers trades
- Lowetide: Is this the year the Oilers find a world-class agitator in the draft?
- Lowetide: Which draft prospects will be available when the Oilers pick at No. 19?
- Lowetide: Oilers 2021-22 roster projection, including trade and free agent targets
- DNB: How do Oilers fans feel about their team’s 2020-21 season?
- Lowetide: Will the Oilers draft from the OHL after a season that never happened?
- Lowetide: Finding the ideal No. 3 centre for the Edmonton Oilers
- New DNB: What I’m hearing about the Oilers offseason
- DNB: Five offseason scenarios that could upend the Oilers’ best-laid plans
- Lowetide: Why Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard is poised to exceed expectations
- Jonathan Willis: How the Oilers could make a Jack Eichel-level trade happen this offseason
- Lowetide: The 7 Oilers roster spots GM Ken Holland must improve this offseason
- Lowetide: Why huge Oil Kings goalie Sebastian Cossa could be the perfect first-round fit for the Oilers
BOURGAULT
Bourgault is an interesting player, I ranked him No. 14 overall based mostly on his offence but discovered a little more nuance to his game after he was chosen. For pure offense, he compares well to most previous draft picks who weren’t No. 1 overall selections (and Leon), with only Kailer Yamamoto clear of him in draft year NHLE:
- Connor McDavid 25-42-67
- Taylor Hall 17-29-46
- Nail Yakupov 18-22-40
- Leon Draisaitl 15-25-40
- Kailer Yamamoto 16-22-38
- Ryan Nugent Hopkins 11-27-38
- Xavier Bourgault 16-16-32
- Raphael Lavoie 12-15-27
- Ryan McLeod 10-17-27
- Tyler Benson 7-16-23
- Jesse Puljujarvi 10-11-21
He’s a little shy of Kailer Yamamoto, also drafted No. 22 overall (in 2017), but will eventually push him (or Jesse Puljujarvi) for an NHL right-wing job on a skill line. His goal-scoring ranks No. 4 (tie) on this list although a pile in this group are between 15-18 goals. We’ll call it a good neighbourhood. Tyler Wright says he projects Bourgault as a top-six NHL forward and that’s about right based on the numbers. Now, onward to day two.
DAY TWO LIST
- 7 RW Nikita Chibrikov, St. Petersburg Small skill winger. Massive U18’s in Texas.
- 13 LC Francesco Pinelli, Kitchener Rangers Smart, skill C who passes well, plus speed.
- 16 RC Logan Stankoven, Kamloops Blazers 5.07, 165. Demon on the forecheck, plus skills.
- 21 RW Olivier Nadeau, Shawinigan Cataractes More bull than beauty, he is effective.
- 22 LD Daniil Chayka, CSKA Moscow Two-way defender, plays in all game states.
- 24 LW Eric Alarie, Moose Jaw Warriors 6.01, 196. Big PF with plus skill.
- 26 LC Aatu Raty, Karpat Talented center who struggled in the Liiga
- 28 RC Ryder Korczak, Moose Jaw Warriors A top play-making center in the WHL.
- 31 LW Ayrton Martino, Omaha Lancers Small speedy winger, September 2002.\
- 32 LW Conner Roulette, Seattle Thunderbirds He has good hands/speed.
- 35 LD Olen Zellweger, Everett Silvertips He is undersized (5.09, 165) but very skilled.
- 36 LW Joshua Roy, Sherbrooke Phoenix. High-end skill, could go higher.
- 37 RW Simon Robertsson, Skelleftea. Bert’s boy, has a powerful shot. Feb. 2003.
- 39 LD Evan Nause, Quebec Remparts Two-way defender is 6.02, 186 and spiking offensively
- 40 LC Brett Harrison, Oshawa Generals A two-way center with good speed.
- 41 RC Connor Lockhart, Erie Otters. Probably the best skater among OHL eligibles.
- 42 LW Sasha Pastujov, USNDTP Plus shot, offensive winger. Average speed.
- 43 LW William Stromgren, MoDo Big skill winger with good wheels.
- 44 RC Riley Kidney, Acadie-Bathurst Titan. Another skill pivot, a good skater.
- 45 LD Stanislav Svozil, Brno. Impressive with the puck, solid without it.
- 46 LC Oliver Kapanen JYP Smart offensive player who drives offense.
- 48 RC Justin Robidas, Val d’Or Foreurs. He’s Yvan Cournoyer small, bullet on skates.
- 49 LW Alexander Kisakov, Moscow Dynamo Just 5.10, 141, terrific skill.
- 50 LD Sean Behrens, USNDTP. Undersized blue is very skilled and smart.
- 51 LC Lorenzo Canonica, Shawinigan Cataractes. Another skill center, great skater.
- 52 G Alekesi Kolosov, Minsk. KHL goalie, .911 SP and still a teenager.
- 53 RW Samu Tuomaala, Karpat Good shooter, average speed, two-way resume.
- 54 RW Prokhor Poltapov, Moscow. Skilled winger plays NA style. 25 goals in 61 games.
- 55 LD Ethan Dal Mastro, Mississauga Steelheads A big, strong shutdown blue.
- 56 LC Sami Päivärinta, Lukko. Small two-way center, fine playmaker.
- 57 RC Danila Klimovich, Minsk Zubry. Size, speed, shot, set the U18s on fire.
- 59 LD Artyom Grushnikov, Moscow. Big shutdown blue, mobile, great passer.
- 60 LW Zack Ostapchuk, Vancouver Giants. Speed and size, plus some skill.
- 61 RD Aleksi Heimosalmi, Assat. Versatile two-way defender.
- 62 G Benjamin Gaudreau, Sarnia Sting. Impressive U18 (.919 SP) has him here.
- 63 LC Jakub Brabenec, Brno. Skilled center with size, quality at U18s.
- 64 LW Jackson Blake, Chicago Steel. Elusive skill winger with big-league moves.
- 66 RC Daniil Tesanov, Yaroslavl. Big center with speed and range.
- 67 LC Redmond Savage, USNDTP. Solid two-way center with speed.
- 69 LC Cole Huckins, Acadie-Bathurst Titan. He has size, can skate. Skilled.
- 70 LW Matvei Petrov, Moscow. Big winger (6.02, 178) can score, great shot.
- 71 RD Jacob Guévin, Muskegon Lumberjacks. Offensive defenseman, fine skater.
- 72 LD Anton Olsson, Malmo. Big, sturdy shutdown defender. Mobile.
- 73 LD Graham Sward, Spokane Chiefs. He’s 6.02, 169. Physical mobile shutdown blue.
- 74 LD Janis Moser, EHC Biel-Bienne. Overager, fine skater and complete skill set.
- 75 LW James Malatesta, Quebec Remparts. Speedy winger is small, plays a rugged style.
- 76 LD Vladislav Lukashevich, Yaroslavl. Shutdown blue, he’s a good skater, good shot.
- 77 LC Florian Elias, Mannheim. Small skill center, he’s a determined player.
- 78 LW Sean Tschigerl, Calgary Hitmen. Two-way winger aggressive in all areas.
- 79 LD Shai Buium, Sioux City Musketeers. Big defender plays smart two-way game.
- 80 LW Viljami Marjala, Quebec Remparts. C-LW is highly skilled, creative playmaker.
- 81 LW Nikita Buruyanov, St. Petersburg. Small winger, terrific speed and aggressive play.
- 82 LD Aleksi Malinen, JyP. Fantastic skater, skilled, some chaos.
- 83 LD Jack Peart, Fargo Force. Impressive young player, undersized with range of skills.
- 84 G Brett Brochu, London Knights. Under radar goalie delivered a .919 SP as a rookie.
- 85 LC Victor Stjernborg, Vaxjo. Two-way forward, aggressive forechecker, great passer.
- 86 LD Vasily Machulin, Moscow Dynamo (MHL). Good size, dynamic skater.
- 87 RD Jack Bar, Chicago Steel. Good size, plus shot, some skill.
- 88 LW Jeremy Wilmer, USNDTP. August 2003, great passer, high skill.
- 89 LW Ville Koivunen, Karpat. Smart winger with skill.
- 90 RW Jake Chiasson, Brandon Wheat Kings. Good size, improved offensively.
- 91 LC Samuel Helenius, JYP. Huge checking center already in the Liiga.
- 92 LW Tristan Broz, Fargo Force. Nice range of skills, fine passer good skater.
- 93 RC Ryan Winterton, Hamilton Bulldogs. Solid prospect, skilled and September 2003.
- 94 LD Aidan Hreschuk, USNDTP. Solid two-way defender, effective in coverage.
- 95 LW Owen Pederson, Winnipeg Ice. Big winger with goal-scoring ability.
- 96 RW Zakhar Bardakov, Vityaz Podolsk. Big PF with some skill. He is 20.
- 97 LC Theo Rochette, Quebec Remparts. Undersized two-way center, intriguing offense.
- 98 LC Cameron Berg, Muskegon Lumberjacks. Good speed and skill.
- 99 LC Juuso Mäenpää, Kalpa. Very small but highly skilled playmaker.
- 100 RC Josh Pillar, Kamloops Blazers. Fast player, scored well and is draft re-entry.
- 101 LC Vasily Atanasov, Mamonty Yugry. Great speed and he is skilled. Undersized.
- 102 LD Dave Ma, USHL, Chicago Steel. Tremendous skater and very creative.
- 103 RW Ilya Fedotov, Nizhny. Smart player with skill and utility.
- 104 RW Oliver Suni, Lukko Rauma. Strong winger with range of skills.
- 105 RD Brent Johnson, Sioux Falls Stampede. Undersized chaos blue with great speed.
- 106 LW Ilya Nazarov, Yaroslavl. Big winger with skill, May 2003.
- 107 RC Ethan Cardwell, Surahammars. Two-way center with skill, effective forechecker.
- 108 RW Nikita Grebyonkin, Magnitogorsk. Skill and size plus some speed.
- 109 LW Arvid Sundin, Brynas. Underzied burner has breathtaking shifts.
- 110 LD Cameron Whynot, Halifax Mooseheads. Two-way blue, fine skater.
- 111 LC Samu Salminen, Jokerit. 6.03 center with real talent, heavy boots.
- 112 LD William Trudeau, Charlottetown Islanders. Puck mover with calm feet. Raw.
- 113 RD Roman Schmidt, USNDTP. Huge shutdown blue with some offense.
- 114 LC Liam Dower-Nilsson, Frolunda. Two-way center with some offensive spark.
- 115 G Patrik Hamrla, HC Energie Karlovy Vary. Dominated Czech junior.
- 116 LW Matthew Knies, Tri-City Storm. 6.02, 210 PF, might be a little shy on top-9 skill level.
- 117 LD Kirill Kirsanov, St. Petersburg. Good skater, passer, physical. Bet the Oilers like him.
- 118 RD Scott Morrow, Shattuck-St. Mary’s. Big D has complete skill set at high school level.
- 119 LD Yaroslav Busygin, Chekov. Big blue who can hit, has some skill.
- 120 G Carl Lindbom, Djurgarden. Top draw U18s has him here.
- 121 RW Robert Orr, Halifax Moosheads. Two-way winger with a great shoot.
- 122 RD Ryan Ufko, Chicago Steel. Mobile puck mover can run a power play. Undersized.
- 123 RW Albert Sjöberg, Sodertalje. Great shot and work ethic.
- 124 RW Simon Knak, Portland Winterhawks. Prolific junior scorer, January 2002.
OILERS MOCK
No. 22 overall RC Xavier Bourgault, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL). A scoring winger who shoots a lot and owns creativity with the puck, I had him as the No. 3 right winger and No. 5 center in the draft. He projects as a solid scoring winger, I’d estimate his offensive potential is going to be in the same range as Kailer Yamamoto. Two more years in the QMJHL is likely. NHLE: 32.1
No. 90: LW Eric Alarie, Moose Jaw Warriors 6.01, 196. Big PF with plus skill, Red Line says “he is a much more functional skater than given credit for” and for me his offensive output and scoring make him a legit prospect for the NHL. Under the radar everywhere, and I do mean everywhere, save Red Line. NHLE: 26.1
No. 116 overall: LW Matvei Petrov, Moscow. Big winger (6.02, 178) can score, great wrist shot. Corey Pronman at The Athletic says “Petrov has a chance due to his skill and scoring, but he will have to add elements to play in the NHL.” NHLE: 10.7
No. 180 overall: RW Josh Williams, Edmonton Oil Kings. He turned 20 in March and has been in the WHL since Diefenbaker was prime minister. The young man can score goals and that always has value, but speed is going to be a concern. This is the final year he is eligible and he might make an attractive free-agent signing this summer for the Oilers. NHLE: 33.8
No. 186 overall: LC Daniil Lazutin, SKA St. Petersburg (MHL). Speed and skill are his calling card, he’s a July 2003 and has what they used to call a projectable frame (6.02, 174).
No. 212: RW Albert Sjöberg, Sodertalje. A late breaker who combines tremendous work ethic and speed and delivers solid two-way play. He isn’t a top-six winger and had just one point in 17 Allsvenskan games, but a strong WJ’s will get him drafted.
I have to think that Jan-Luca Munzenberger would have been well scouted by Drai’s father, the highly placed coach in Germany. Drai is committed to the Oilers and why wouldn’t papa want to see his kid win a thing or two. The German national teams are on the rise, big country, lots of money and more kids playing. Nice pick up for a late draft in my humble opinion.
BrabanecLatimer
Tourigny
Hello, my name is Luca…….
…I live on the second floor….
Time for a Mozzaburger…:)
Still holding out for Brabanec, Latimer at 116, Tourigny at 180.
Great review From Draft Analyst:
“LHD Jan-Luca Munzenberger (GER): A big-bodied vacuum cleaner on defense who’s been eating minutes like mad, Munzenberger is a first-year draft eligible with a late-2002 birthday who is committed to the University of Vermont. He was left off Central Scouting’s initial Watch List but his play for Kolner Junghaie in Germany coupled with his ongoing performance in Edmonton at the World Juniors . He has ideal size (6-foot-, 190 pounds) but has the mobility and agility to cover faster players, especially when holding his line and transitioning into a backskate. Munzenberger’s stride is as wide as they come and although he’s style may not look pretty, he definitely gets from Point A to Point B faster than most teenage defensemen his size. He plays a mean, physical brand of hockey and can be considered a bit of a throwback. Munzenberger’s role in the match against Slovakia was identical to his usage with Kolner Junghaie — he anchored the top penatly-killing unit and played the point on the power play. He has soft hands and delivers clean passes to any area in the offensive zone, but what makes Munzenberger dangerous is his lethal shot — he owns a bomb of a shot, not only for its velocity but for the sheer power he generates with little backswing. His wrister is just as nasty and Munzenberger is quite accurate whether he keeps his attempts low or high.”
I really like the player, not crazy about the pick, adding another LHD to a young left side in Nurse, Broberg, and Samorukov. Especially in a year when nobody really knows who the best player available is.
I watched him vs Russia and he played RD the entire game?? Why do you say he is left D?
He’s left shoot but plays RD. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfdk1IIWQ68
I called him a LHD, which doesn’t change based on where he plays. LD is different from LHD. That said, I’m guessing if he is not the best D on the team he would probably play LD instead of RD. He may be playing RD in Germany and doing well, but that may change in the AHL and NHL if he makes it. He is a LHD.
We can trade Luca to Stevie Y in a couple of years to play with Seider. We’ll take that big skinny goalie the’ve got
Long live the leftorium!
He’s RD
Elite Prospects page says he shoots left, so ya, on the Oil he’s a RD
Plays RD versus Russia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfdk1IIWQ68
Munzenberger best have Draisaitl width shoulders to where a name that big on his back.
So much for ‘drafting for need’ . Maybe Drai phoned it in.
Gene Principe is thrilled with this pick
Brabanec, Latimer, Tourigny
Luca Munzenberger to the Oil at 90.
German d-man, 6’2″.
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/407643/luca-munzenberger
EDIT: Committed to the U of Vermont next year:
https://www.si.com/hockey/news/world-juniors-who-helped-their-draft-stock
And here is a shift by shift video from World Juniors:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfdk1IIWQ68
Thanks for the great link. He has the hack and whack in front of the net down like a pro. No one within stick distance failed to get a cross check. Good positioning, looking for tight gaps on the defensive transition. Somewhat weak on the first pass bit…my first period only observations. The whole German team looked a little shaky offense. Maybe more accurately they looked tired by the time they tried to break out. He looks like a promising larsen replacement.
Munzen berger?
Treiliving, you going to take a dman?
Brad, Whynot?
Both Nadeau and Alarie on the board still with one pick ahead of us, c’mon Ken
Still on the board after our pick
2 picks out from 90, best available from the LT list:
21 RW Olivier Nadeau, Shawinigan Cataractes More bull than beauty, he is effective.
24 LW Eric Alarie, Moose Jaw Warriors 6.01, 196. Big PF with plus skill.
32 LW Conner Roulette, Seattle Thunderbirds He has good hands/speed.
36 LW Joshua Roy, Sherbrooke Phoenix. High-end skill, could go higher.
41 RC Connor Lockhart, Erie Otters. Probably the best skater among OHL eligibles.
…
55 LD Ethan Dal Mastro, Mississauga Steelheads A big, strong shutdown blue.
…
71 RD Jacob Guévin, Muskegon Lumberjacks. Offensive defenseman, fine skater.
…
84 G Brett Brochu, London Knights. Under radar goalie delivered a .919 SP as a rookie.
If the pick is Roulette, I call dibs on the ‘Oilers take a chance’ comment
A Shane Doan interview while the Oilers are drafting is elite level trolling by the NHL network
That & a commercial break
Assholes
I forgot how well Devon Levi played at the World Jr’s
Not a great trade by Buffalo. Lose an excellent 1b/2a type center to take a ride on the river of small sample sizes.
The only thing that makes sense is that Reinhart was adamant he wasn’t going to sign any extension that took up UFA years.
So did:
Manny Legace
Justin Pogge
Steve Mason
Maxim Oullette
The list goes on and on and on.
Steve Lansky said the draft coverage should be about the human interest stories. I wonder how he grades Sportsnet coverage and in particular Jackie Redmond…she seems to be trying to make it about these kids stories.
Agree.
I’m bullish on The Bourg, lots of talk about his quick passing, soft spot finding, and transition game. Lots of mention of himself, Yams, and Ebs. Don’t see much mention about his size advantage over these fellas.
I really see him finding chemistry with one of the big 2, if not McLeod in the least.
He got 3 minor penalties in 29 games, bodes well for him not causing moments that will take 97 or 29 off the ice.
Oilers have a gluten of young goalies, they got to try to get one of them to pop while spending their few picks on scoring forwards that they can hopefully get up to speed within the elc to contribute to the roster now as they need that cap space.
Never pick a voodoo man in the 1st round, stock up on skill, turn your assets into more asset while moving down 2 spots, adding an additional bullet you didn’t have before the move.
It’s a win for the draft table imo.
Reinhart trade is done.
2022 1st round pick Nd goaltender Devon Levi.
Boo.
Question for the group, would you have traded the Oilers 1st and one of their goalie prospect for Reinhart.
Yes – assuming there was an agreed upon contract in place.
Great question….
Fitting that Jack Peart’s scouting report says he likes to “rush the puck”.
Also would have accepted
“great on the rush”
Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) Tweeted:
The #hurricanes are just out here stockpiling extra selections — they’ve turned Nos. 27 and 59 into Nos. 40, 51, 83, 109 and 147 across three trades.
https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1418987888667086850?s=20
#90
Brent Johnson
Oliver Nadeau
Red Savage
Gaudreau
Harrison
3 left plus 1
Red Savage
Harrison
Oliver Nadeau
Guillaume Richard
Harrison off to the B’s at 85.
Justin Robidas
My guess is the Oilers would have liked to take Olsson, he’s a great skater.
For the Oilers to trade down last night, that tells me they didn’t want the goalie, so adding a late third is a great move IMO. First move I’ve been happy with by the team for what seems like ages but has really only been a couple weeks.
Picking a forward instead of a goalie there could also go along with the “all in for the next few years” theory since the forward could be on the roster in about 2 years and likely 5 or more for a goalie.
Reading scouting reports on Bourgault, I’m picturing Kahun, and if they’re similar players at all hopefully Bourgault pops more.
I think the organization likes Konovalov, Skinner and Rodrigue and wants to see how they develop. It’s also true that the young Swede was highly rated, but Pronman had some interesting notes on Wallstedt and perhaps that was a reason the club passed. Difficult to say, I didn’t know people were openly angry until today. I had Cossa ahead of Wallstedt on my list, and had Bourgault ahead of both men.
If they’re high on the goalie prospects that makes sense too, though I think I remember rumours that they really wanted Askarov last year. Could just be a case of thinking he was the absolute goods, though.
I’m pretty high on Konovalov myself, a young guy with those SV%s in the KHL deserves a real shot to be an AHL starter this year and maybe get some big league games. Presumably we know more about the goalie cupboard 6 months from now.
Plus I heard you can trade for a Calder candidate level tender with only a 3rd round pick & a set of John Garrett’s old goalie pads
Or pick one up on waivers if you’re paying attention (but NO ONE is paying attention!).
Agreed. It could be that the organization has confidence in the current goalie prospects, or that they have a plan for the NHL roster involving Stalock or a trade. Or both. But I strongly believe the Oilers need to make some deep playoff runs in the next 3-4 years and I do not recall teams going deep with 3rd year goaltenders carrying the mail. Even the best goalies tend to take 5 years to ripen. I don’t think there was any way the Oilers were taking a goalie in round one yesterday, regardless of who was there.
Holland’s premise on tending is also somewhat notable. If I’m not mistaken, he is generally willing to pay for the uber-elite but, if an uber-elite isn’t available, he’s not going to shell out big. His premise is that, after the uber-elite, there isn’t much to choose between, say, goaltender 10 and goaltender 30.
Man, Columbus is having a DRAFT. Adding Svozil on top of their trio of 1sts is a strong haul to start off with.
True.
But keep in mind that the biggest winners today were typically some of the biggest losers last season.
Pastujov fell pretty far for a guy the math seems to like. Haven’t looked much into him, though.
Eleven names in my top-50 overall are still on the board. It’s going to be a fun trip through the final 140+ selections.
Significant upside for Tyler Wright to outperform again this year.
(It’s almost strange how everyone reacts with comments about Holland doing this and Holland not doing that, when really it’s more Tyler Wrights day)
Of note…Islanders get Aatu Raty with the Oilers 2nd round pick.
I’ve always wondered, how much does it cost you to rent that garbage can on Sesame Street?
#kiddingnotkidding
Of note…Guenther and Martino (LTs #31) taken with Canuck picks (so far).
I’ll wager Connor Garland scores more for Vancouver next season than AA scores for the Oilers.
Well that’s one way to twist really I suppose.
Of course the truth is much closer to Guenther being the payment for Garland.
I think that’s a reasonable expectation.
Stand down Philidelphia.
Chicago….The city of brotherly love!
They going to add another Strome this week?
Please post on hockey. Starting your own site for other subjects is an idea you may want to pursue. Thanks.
The damn squirrels keep running across my lawn…
Sorry LT, if it was me.
No worries. No one is in trouble, but it’s a subject that starts innocently and then goes completely nuts within seconds.
That stuff sure elicits a gut response. Best when no one responds to that and it just gets deleted quickly
Is this request just a today thing or ongoing? If this is a long term request to forbid discussions on baseball and music, that LT guy might stop posting, but I think a lot of people here likes what he has to say.
Sorry LT
Please delete it, I can’t seem to.
I thought it was benign enough and related to a hockey thing.
LT, you answered my question by informing me that your list isn’t meant to be predictive in terms of draft order. (Thank you for that)
Brian Lawton added to that for me when he stated that most teams have a list of 40 to 60 players. I think Sam Consentino added that he’s never seen a list longer than 100.
Not sure where you’re heading here, but glad you got your answer.
There’s far more variability beyond the early second round than I realized.
So much so that Scouting staffs don’t feel that a need for a list of more than 50 or so candidates, because they know that the other 31 lists will be significantly different than their lists. Like I said, still learning.
Even the host of the Sportsnet panel, said he learned something in hearing that. 🙂
Still can’t phantom the move to bypass BPA and also filling a need with Wallstedt by dropping down to 22nd. Last time we dropped down to 22nd pick, the Oilers picked a highly skilled forward from the QMJHL to draft M A Pouliot.Wait a minute! Looks like the 2003 entry draft revisited! That year we dropped down and bypassed the likes of Getzlaf, Parise, Brent Burns, Perry, Mike Richards & Kesler for Pouliot. So long Wallstedt, next franchise goalie …?
Holland is extremely well-connected in Sweden. If he didn’t draft Wallstedt, he likely had very good reasons.
I am sure he is ; only Swedish dmen need apply…
Last two times they picked 22, they drafted Eberle and Yamamoto….. so……
Something holding up the Sam Reinhart trade to Florida.
Anyone hear anything?
Maybe one of those “LA and Seattle will be big movers” decided to actually do something
Pittsburgh corners the market on Tristans
Broz before Hoz.
I love Hoz
LT. Do you catch a falling knife at 90?
Would you take Chibrikov at 90, or is it just too risky, given everyone else passing on him?
Jets took him at 50
Thank you.
Raty gets selected with a pick that we gave up for AA, keep an eye on that one.
Toronto killing it today.
Kidding.
But the Maple Leafs picks are always interesting to see in modern times. Analytics in action.
Knies is a good prospect, a little early to take him imo
Ditto for Colorado.
I wanted to see how often first round goalies succeed:
Listed by draft year
Name, pick#, games played, First year as starter
2000
Rick Dipietro… #1, 318GP, 2004Starter
Brent Krahn… 9, 1, N/A
2001
Pascal Leclaire… 8, 173, N/A
Dan Blackburn… 10, 63 , N/A
Jason Bacashihua… 26, 38 , N/A
Adam Munro… 29, 17 , N/A
2002
Kari Lehtonen… 2, 649, 2007
Cam Ward… 25, 701, 2007
Hannu Toivonen… 29, 61 , N/A
2003
Marc-Andre Fleury… 1, 883, 2006
2004
Al Montoya… 6, 168, N/A
Devan Dubnyk… 14, 542, 2011
Marek Schwarz… 17, 6, N/A
Cory Schneider… 26, 409, 2012
2005
Carey Price… 5, 707, 2008
Tuukka Rask… 21, 560, 2010
2006
Jonathan Bernier… 11, 393, 2014
Riku Helenius… 15, 1, N/A
Semyon Varlamov… 23, 543, 2012
Leland Irving… 26, 13 , N/A
2008
Chet Pickard… 18, 0, N/A
Tom McCollum… 30, 3, N/A
2010
Jack Campbell… 11, 86, N/A
Mark Visetin… 27, 1, N/A
2012
Andrei Vasilevskiy…19, 302, 2017
Malcolm Subban… 24, 82, N/A
I listed all goalies drafted in the first round between 2000 and 2014.
11 out of 26 goalies became starters.
Since 2008, Vasilevsky is the only 1st round goaltender to play as a starter. To play more than 100 games even.
The average time for a goalie to play as a starter is 5.36 years.
The notable names are
Lehtonen, Ward, Fleury, Dubnyk, Schneider, Price, Rask, Varlamov, Bernier and Vasilevsky
Great post
Islanders with Aatu Raty at 52. Nice.
Wow, didn’t think he’d drop that far.
Chib gone to the Jets
Cam Atkinson was available?
And for only Voracek?
This is a weird league.
Atkinson is a few months older than Voracek, signed for a year longer (for $2.375M less per), and was badly out-produced by Voracek over the past couple of seasons.
I think Columbus likely won that trade.
7 RW Nikita Chibrikov, St. Petersburg Small skill winger. Massive U18’s in Texas.
What are the chances that Chibrikov drops to us at 90?
NO chance? Possible but not likely? Very likely?
Is Chibrikov like a Vladimir Tkachev?
I like Jack Bar at 90
https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/2021/06/15/jack-bar-scouting-report/amp/
These are the players I’m looking for on day 2:
#90
#116
Lots of good names there, feel like Latimer and Tourigney will be around in the 6th or 7th Rd but the way this draft is going who knows! I want Winterton at 90 and Brabanec or Hinds at 116 would be fantastic.
Pronman had Brabanec going 88, Latimer 92 and Tourigny 200 in his mock draft.
He ranked them 88, 115, and 117. So the could go at 90 and 115.
Dach off the board at 62 to join big bro Kirby in the Windy City.
And Gaudreau is off to SJ at 81.
#90
LW Colton Dach, Saskatoon Blades, WHL – skilled, big and toughG Benjamin Gaudreau, Sarnia, OHL – gamble with no OHL season#116
RW Carson Latimer, Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL – one of the fastest in the draft
RHD Miguël Tourigny, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL – one of the fastest with one of the best shots in the draft, overager though and tiny.
LC Jakub Brabenec, Brno, CZE – skilled, one of the youngest in the draft
G Alexei Kolosov, DYnamo Minsk, KHL – put up decent #s in the KHLC Dmitry Zugan, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva, MHL – fast
Heard the criticism of Holland last night. Been an Oilers fan since they entered the league.
My take is that Holland is still hampered by two lost playoff rounds.
The team has two super stars but haven’t proven anything yet. Maybe Larsson stays if the Oilers lost in conference finals last year. They haven’t shown themselves to be a contender yet.
An old vet isn’t signing yet for cheap for his last chance at the cup.
Wish it was otherwise.
And Holland still battles with Americans not wanting to play in Canada, bad weather, bad taxes, small market, rabid fans.
When Oilers win two or more series in a year they will be contending and it will get easier to attract players.
Here’s hoping.
Winning begets winning.
Don’t overpay for free agents. There are other ways to build teams. Bad teams build through free agency.
https://smahtscouting.com/2021/03/01/scouting-report-xavier-bourgault/
Pretty in depth report. Sounds like he shines in transition, which is becoming increasingly important.
I’m a bit wary of his age. Don’t have a problem with the pick though not grabbing either of the top 2 goalies, I dunno Ken. I know it wasn’t Detroit’s way to develop goalies but it can improve your roster and most of the Cup winners over the last 20 years had homegrown D & G to carry them.
anyone care to throw out a trade prediction? Any legs to Kassian to rangers for a third?
Only in that dream I had last night.
Definitely wishful thinking was hoping holland was playing chess with protecting him but maybe checkers…
When a Wilson, Reaves, MacDermid, Soucy, Lucic ect. rag dolls one of our stars at the end of scum … the other team is going to ask “what are you going to do about”? We got some capspace isn’t going fly with Dr25.
Nice pick by the Oilers with Bourgault, I am a little surprised they passed the Swede.
The Oilers are drafting for need, which is a freedom being better and not drafting in basically locked in spots in the top five gives. So holes in the pipeline are finally being patched.
It seems Holland either feels he can find good enough goalies, or the prospects are legit.
For me, I’m not that convinced about the prospects. Shorter goalies in today’s NHL, not many left. And it’s because of the sticks, everyone is a dangerous shooter now (if they don’t play for the Oilers). Many, many players have no problem roofing shots, even in tight.
Not impossible, for me not likely, at least in being a high end starter.